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Invisalign® in Lake Oswego, OR

Invisalign: Quick, Comfortable, & Discrete Orthodontic Treatment

Many dental patients need orthodontic treatment to correct dental misalignment. You may be hesitant to seek orthodontic treatment due to the prospect of wearing metal braces. Orthodontic treatment with metal braces has proven to be effective, but it can also be an uncomfortable, unattractive, and time-consuming treatment. 

Fortunately, advancements in modern dental technology have provided an alternative in the form of Invisalign®. At Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego, Dr. Bowden recommends Invisalign to patients looking to achieve a straighter smile without the hassle of metal braces.

What Is Invisalign?

Woman in split screen showing braces vs Invisalign characteristics
Woman putting her Invisalign aligner in her mouth

Invisalign utilizes a series of nearly transparent aligner trays made of patented SmartTrack® material. SmartTrack is strong enough to move your teeth into their proper place while being comfortable enough to wear for the minimum 20 hours per day necessary for effective treatment. You’ll only remove your trays to eat, drink something other than plain water, and clean your teeth. 

Your custom made Invisalign trays will serve as a guide for your teeth to follow. Depending on your treatment plan, you’ll wear each tray in the series for about two weeks each. With each new set of aligners you wear, your teeth will gradually shift into place until your treatment is complete. 

Why is Orthodontic Treatment Important?

Misaligned teeth may lower your self esteem and make it harder to smile, but the health risks are the most pressing concern. Dental misalignment increases your chances of: 

With Invisalign treatment, you can help prevent these issues by straightening your teeth.

What Makes Invisalign Different?

Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign is:

  • Removable: You can remove your Invisalign clear aligners for easy cleaning and to eat and drink what you like.
  • Comfortable: Invisalign doesn’t use uncomfortable metal brackets and wires that can poke and irritate your mouth. 
  • Clear: Invisalign clear aligners are almost totally transparent, making your orthodontic treatment unnoticeable.
  • Quick: Average treatment with Invisalign is a year, or half the time of traditional metal braces.

The Invisalign Treatment Process

Beginning the Invisalign treatment takes place over two or three appointments at our Lake Oswego office. Here’s what you can expect:

Initial Consultation

Before you start treatment with Invisalign, you’ll undergo a consultation with Dr. Bowden. He’ll examine your mouth, evaluate your oral health, and discuss your dental goals with you. Dr. Bowden will be sure to inform you of all of your available options and help you choose the method of orthodontic treatment that’s best for you.

Designing Your Invisalign Clear Aligner Trays

Once Dr. Bowden has determined you’re a candidate for Invisalign, we’ll take images and impressions of your mouth that will serve as the blueprints for your aligner trays. 

Invisalign allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so you can see how your teeth will look when your treatment is complete. 

Your trays will be fabricated off-site at a special lab. You’ll return to our Lake Oswego office to have your first set of Invisalign clear aligners installed once we receive them.

Your Custom Invisalign Clear Aligner Trays

Your Invisalign clear aligners will easily snap onto your teeth, requiring no anesthetic. Dr. Bowden will make sure they fit properly before giving you the rest of your aligner trays.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Does orthodontic treatment with Invisalign hurt?
When do I have to remove my aligners?
How do I maintain my Invisalign trays?
How much does orthodontic treatment with Invisalign cost?
Does orthodontic treatment with Invisalign hurt?

Having your Invisalign installed is a painless procedure that requires no anesthetic. Some discomfort in the first few days is a common side effect of your teeth being adjusted. Pain usually subsides after a few days and should be easy to manage with over-the-counter pain medication.

If you notice that your pain isn’t fading, call our office in Lake Oswego by dialing (503) 675-7300 as soon as you can. You can also fill out our appointment request form and a team member will get back to you shortly. Dr. Bowden and his team will do their best to resolve any issues you may be having. 

When do I have to remove my aligners?

You’ll need to remove your aligners before you eat, drink something other than plain, cool water, and clean your teeth. Failure to do so may lead to damaged aligner trays and potentially derail your treatment. 

Eating while wearing your aligner trays can also lead to food particles, residue, and bacteria getting caught in them. This could not only derail your treatment, but also cause lasting oral health issues such as bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. 

How do I maintain my Invisalign trays?

Proper maintenance of your Invisalign trays is essential to keeping your treatment plan on track. To maintain your aligners, Dr. Bowden suggests that you:

  1. Take out your aligner trays before you eat, drink fluids other than water, and clean your teeth.
  2. Clean your trays with lukewarm water, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a gentle antibacterial soap or toothpaste
  3. Store your aligners in their protective case in a place that’s easy to remember when not in use.
  4. Soak your aligner trays at least once a day in a mix of three parts lukewarm water and one part white vinegar. You can also use Invisalign cleaning crystals. 
  5. Rinse your aligners before putting them back in your mouth.
  6. Remove your aligners from back to front to avoid tearing them. 
How much does orthodontic treatment with Invisalign cost?

On average, Invisalign tends to cost a bit more than traditional metal braces. However, Dr. Bowden and his team believe that the comfort, discretion, and efficiency of Invisalign make it well worth the investment. 

Call your dental insurance provider before undergoing Invisalign treatment to see if your plan will cover some or all of the cost of treatment. We also offer affordable financing options to help make Invisalign treatment more accessible.

Invisalign: Discreet, Comfortable Treatment & Healthy Smiles

Straight teeth don’t just help you look and feel your best. Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, less prone to disease, and better for your overall health. With Invisalign, your orthodontic treatment doesn’t have to be unattractive or uncomfortable. We welcome new and returning patients from Lake Oswego and surrounding areas such as Portland, Tualatin, Wilsonville, Beaverton, Tigard, and Sherwood, OR.

To learn more about how Invisalign can discreetly straighten your smile more comfortably than traditional metal braces, call our office in Lake Oswego by dialing (503) 675-7300. You can also fill out our appointment request form and a team member will get back to you shortly. We look forward to shaping the smile you’ve always wanted with Invisalign. 

Dental Misalignment (Malocclusion) Treatable With Invisalign

Malocclusion graphics - crowding, spacing, deep bite
Graphics of crossbite, excessive overbite, edge to edge bite, and open bite
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